Difference between revisions of "Vest Pocket Kodak"

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| image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/bstrong/357168511/in/pool-camerawiki
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| image_align=right
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| image_text=Vest Pocket Kodak Autographic Special, 1916-23<br/>Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak, 1917-26<br/>Vest Pocket Kodak model B, 1925-34<br/>Vest Pocket Kodak Special, 1926-35
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| image_by=Bill Strong
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The '''Vest Pocket Kodak''' cameras were a best-selling [[folding camera]] series made by [[Kodak|Eastman Kodak]] (Rochester), from 1912 to 1935. They were the first cameras to use the smaller [[127 film|127 film reels]]. "Hawk-Eye" versions of the Vest Pocket Kodaks were premium models, and the "Special" models had more sophisticated lens/shutter combinations. A special ''Vest Pocket'' wooden development tank for the typIe 127 [[rollfilm]] was available from Kodak, as well as a special ''Vest Pocket'' enlarging camera.
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{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/norto/341093255/in/pool-camerapedia
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/90900361@N08/in/pool-camerawiki
|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/157/341093255_9147f70831_m.jpg
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|image= http://farm1.staticflickr.com/572/21024733115_d93c7e7d8f_n.jpg
 
|image_align= left
 
|image_align= left
|image_text= Vest Pocket Kodak
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|image_text= 1929 catalogue image
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|image_by= Geoff Harrisson
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|image_rights= wp
 
}}
 
}}
The '''Vest Pocket Kodak''' was a bestselling [[folding camera]], of which 1.8 million were made and sold by [[Kodak|Eastman Kodak]] (Rochester), from 1912 to 1926. It had a 1:6.8/72mm single meniscus lens.
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{{br}}
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=== Vest Pocket Kodak (1912-1914) ===
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This is the original model and doesn't have the Autographic feature which was added to create the later models. It had to be loaded through the top, inserting both film spools at once with the film stretched between them. It had the small three-blade variant of Kodak's [[Ball Bearing Shutter]] No.0. Folded it was really handsome, not bigger than many modern [[compact camera]]s. Hidden behind its lens board was its [[brilliant finder]]. A strut folding variant had a f/6.8 72mm achromatic [[meniscus lens]], hidden behind a mask that allowed a maximum aperture of f/11.
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=== Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak (1915-1926) ===
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/4926710321/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image=http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4095/4926710321_84b1d75c86_m.jpg
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|image_align=left
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|image_text=VPK Autographic
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|image_by=Tony Kemplen
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|image_rights=wp
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}}
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The [[Kodak vest pocket autographic|Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak]] was the version advertised in the U.S.A. as the "Soldier's camera" during World War I.  It was very successful, selling 1,750,000 units. It was of the compact strut folding type and had the meniscus lens or a U.S.-speed 8 [[Rapid Rectilinear]] lens.
 +
 
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The camera back had an area through which notes could be written onto the paper backing of the [[127 film]], the "[[autographic]]" feature - invented by Henry J. Gaisman.
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<br clear=all />
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=== Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak Special (1915-1926) ===
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These models were equipped with selected f/6.9 and f/7.7 lenses by Kodak, [[Bausch & Lomb]], [[Zeiss]], [[Ross]], [[Berthiot]] or [[Cooke]], mainly with the Kodak [[Anastigmat]] f/7.7 lens. The most sought-after is the focusing [[Tessar|Zeiss Tessar]] f/4.9 version with a 8 speed [[Compur]] shutter.
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=== Vest Pocket Kodak Model B (1925-1934) ===
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/awcam/3165320908/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3257/3165320908_3d182c5699_m.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= VPK model B
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|image_by= AWCam
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
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This was a quite different camera; a primitive folding bed camera for making 4&times;6.5cm exposures on [[127 film]]. It was also marketed as [[Boy Scout Kodak]] and [[Girl Scout Kodak]] with new front plate designs by [[Walter Dorwin Teague]]. A colored version was branded [[Kodak Petite]]. Its lens was a doublet in a rotary shutter, or a Kodak Periscopic lens in a Kodak shutter. The lens typically had four apertures, set by a thumb-wheel on the side of the shutter block, and numbered 1-4.
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The Model B had to be loaded through the front side, after removing the whole bed and bellows unit. It was produced from 1925 to 1934 and cost $7.50. It had the [[Autographic|"autographic" feature]].
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<br clear=all />
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=== Vest Pocket Kodak Series III (1926-1934) ===
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This model appears to be styled like and work similar to a Model B but has Kodex or Diomatic shutter with more speeds, an aperture selector in f-stops and a screw thread focusing system. This model was also the basis for the coloured art deco [[Kodak Petite]], [[Vanity Kodak]] and Coquette versions designed by [[Walter Dorwin Teague]].
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=== Vest Pocket Kodak Special (1926-1935) ===
 +
This model is the replacement for the previous VPK Autographic Special models using the bed style of the Model B but has better shutters and faster lenses.
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 +
=== The Vest Pocket Kodak and the Mount Everest Mystery ===
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Two climbers, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, lost on Everest in 1924, may have been the first to reach the summit.  Another member of the expedition has been quoted as saying that he had loaned his Kodak VPK camera to Mallory as they passed each other on the north ridge.  There are [http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=mount-everest-mystery and extensive efforts underway] using current technology to locate Irvine's body and perhaps, the camera.
  
The '''[[Kodak vest pocket autographic|Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak]]''' was a version advertised as "Soldier's camera" during WWI It was manufactured from 1915 to 1926. The camera back had an area through which notes could be written onto the paper backing of the 127 film, a feature invented by Henry J. Gaisman. It had a Kodak Anastigmatic f/7.7 lens.
 
 
{{br}}
 
{{br}}
The '''Vest Pocket Kodak Model B''' was a later model, designed to make 4.5&times;6cm exposures on 127 film. Its lens was a doublet in a rotary shutter, or a Kodak Periscopic lens in a Kodak shutter. It was produced from 1925 to 1934 and cost $7.50. In the version '''Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak Model B''' it too had the "autographic" feature.
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== Images ==
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/73598079@N00/144656632/in/pool-camerapedia/
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/n6nkn/144656632/in/pool-camerawiki/
 
|image= http://static.flickr.com/46/144656632_f3191b2f78_m.jpg
 
|image= http://static.flickr.com/46/144656632_f3191b2f78_m.jpg
 
|image_align= left
 
|image_align= left
|image_text= Vest Pocket Kodak, Model B
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|image_text= Vest Pocket Kodak, Model B<br />with Kodak Periscopic lens
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|image_by=Rick Zolla
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|image_rights=wp
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/16822508@N05/2781084491/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/2781084491_d7155ce770_m.jpg
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|image_align=left
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|image_text= Model B (Autographic)
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|image_by=John Nuttall
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|image_rights=cc
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/6921278134/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7120/6921278134_3e681a3c30_m.jpg
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|image_align=left
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|image_text=VPK Series III
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|image_by=Tony Kemplen
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|image_rights=wp
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/90900361@N08/8276798812/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8218/8276798812_7f460df85a_n.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= VPK Autographic c.1921
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|image_by= Geoff Harrisson
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|image_rights= wp
 
}}
 
}}
"Hawk-Eye" versions of the Vest Pocket Kodaks were premium models, and the "Special" models had more sophisticated lens/shutter combinations.
 
  
===Links===
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{{brl}}
*[http://www.cosmonet.org/camera/vestan_e.htm Vest Pocket Kodak]
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{|class="floatleft plainlinks"
*[http://www.eastman.org/fm/mees/htmlsrc/mE13000637_ful.html Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak]
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/mario_groleau/2318574740/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2015/2318574740_79da027218_m.jpg]
*[http://www.nwmangum.com/Kodak/VPKB-1.html Vest Pocket Kodak Model B]
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/mario_groleau/2317767025/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2195/2317767025_29a0436c78_m.jpg]
* [http://www.collection-appareils.com/kodak/html/vest_pocket.php Vest Pocket Autographic and Crystal Japan] at www.collection-appareils.com
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/mario_groleau/2318574416/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2136/2318574416_baa04d5e1a_m.jpg]
* [http://www.collection-appareils.com/kodak/html/vest_pocket_special.php Vest Pocket Special] at www.collection-appareils.com
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/mario_groleau/2318574068/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2318574068_efd8bdf9c3_m.jpg]
* [http://www.collection-appareils.com/kodak/html/vest_pocket_B.php Vest Pocket B] at www.collection-appareils.com
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/mario_groleau/3125783621/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/3125783621_c6fe5017bb_m.jpg]
* [http://www.collection-appareils.com/kodak/html/vest_pocket_serie_III.php Vest pocket serie III] at www.collection-appareils.com
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|-
* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/album_notices_I_K/Kodak_vp/index.html Vest pocket manual]
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|colspan=4 align=center| Vest Pocket Kodak on Kodak catalogue pages, 1918 <small>scans courtesy {{image author|Mario Groleau}}</small> {{public domain}}
* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/album_notices_I_K/Kodak_Vest_Pocket/index.html Vest pocket autographic manual]
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||Ad for ''Special'' in [[Kodakery]]
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|}
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{{br}}
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==Links==
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* [http://kodak.3106.net/index.php?p=208&cam=1281 Vest Pocket Kodak], [http://kodak.3106.net/index.php?p=208&cam=1280 Model B], [http://kodak.3106.net/index.php?p=208&cam=1278 Series III], and [http://kodak.3106.net/index.php?p=301 Kodak manuals] on [http://kodak.3106.net Mischa Koning's site].
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* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/kodak/kodak_vest_pocket/kodak_vest_pocket.htm Vest Pocket Manual] and [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/kodak/kodak_vest_pocket_b/kodak_vest_pocket_b.htm Model B manual] at [http://www.butkus.org Michael Butkus' Orphan cameras].
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*[http://vpk.staff.shef.ac.uk/ The Vest Pocket Kodak — development and specification of these classic cameras]
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*[http://vpk.staff.shef.ac.uk/page14.html The Vest Pocket Kodak—Types]
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* [http://www.cosmonet.org/camera/vestan_e.htm Vest Pocket Kodak] and [http://www.geh.org/fm/mees/htmlsrc/mE13000637_ful.html Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak] on cosmonet.org
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*[http://www.geh.org/fm/toronto/htmlsrc/mE13000662_ful.html Vest Pocket Kodak Autographic Special] on geg.org
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* [http://www.nwmangum.com/Kodak/VPKB-1.html Vest Pocket Kodak Model B] on nwmangum.com
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* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=309 Vest Pocket Autographic and Crystal Japan], [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=775 Vest Pocket B] and [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11972 Vest pocket serie III]<!--Commented out link, page no longer present/available, please remove if not returned by 12/2017 , [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/album_notices_I_K/Kodak_vp/index.html Vest pocket manual] and [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/album_notices_I_K/Kodak_Vest_Pocket/index.html Vest pocket autographic manual]--> at [http://www.collection-appareils.fr collection-appareils.fr] (in French)
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*[http://camarasclassicas.blogspot.com/2010/08/vest-pocket-kodak-autographic.html Vest Pocket Kodak Autographic] at [http://camarasclassicas.blogspot.com/ Classic Cameras] by RaúlM.
  
 
[[Category:Kodak]]
 
[[Category:Kodak]]
 
[[Category:127 film]]
 
[[Category:127 film]]
 
[[Category:1911-1914]]
 
[[Category:1911-1914]]
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__NOTOC__

Revision as of 10:34, 23 June 2017

The Vest Pocket Kodak cameras were a best-selling folding camera series made by Eastman Kodak (Rochester), from 1912 to 1935. They were the first cameras to use the smaller 127 film reels. "Hawk-Eye" versions of the Vest Pocket Kodaks were premium models, and the "Special" models had more sophisticated lens/shutter combinations. A special Vest Pocket wooden development tank for the typIe 127 rollfilm was available from Kodak, as well as a special Vest Pocket enlarging camera.


Vest Pocket Kodak (1912-1914)

This is the original model and doesn't have the Autographic feature which was added to create the later models. It had to be loaded through the top, inserting both film spools at once with the film stretched between them. It had the small three-blade variant of Kodak's Ball Bearing Shutter No.0. Folded it was really handsome, not bigger than many modern compact cameras. Hidden behind its lens board was its brilliant finder. A strut folding variant had a f/6.8 72mm achromatic meniscus lens, hidden behind a mask that allowed a maximum aperture of f/11.

Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak (1915-1926)

The Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak was the version advertised in the U.S.A. as the "Soldier's camera" during World War I. It was very successful, selling 1,750,000 units. It was of the compact strut folding type and had the meniscus lens or a U.S.-speed 8 Rapid Rectilinear lens.

The camera back had an area through which notes could be written onto the paper backing of the 127 film, the "autographic" feature - invented by Henry J. Gaisman.

Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak Special (1915-1926)

These models were equipped with selected f/6.9 and f/7.7 lenses by Kodak, Bausch & Lomb, Zeiss, Ross, Berthiot or Cooke, mainly with the Kodak Anastigmat f/7.7 lens. The most sought-after is the focusing Zeiss Tessar f/4.9 version with a 8 speed Compur shutter.

Vest Pocket Kodak Model B (1925-1934)

This was a quite different camera; a primitive folding bed camera for making 4×6.5cm exposures on 127 film. It was also marketed as Boy Scout Kodak and Girl Scout Kodak with new front plate designs by Walter Dorwin Teague. A colored version was branded Kodak Petite. Its lens was a doublet in a rotary shutter, or a Kodak Periscopic lens in a Kodak shutter. The lens typically had four apertures, set by a thumb-wheel on the side of the shutter block, and numbered 1-4.

The Model B had to be loaded through the front side, after removing the whole bed and bellows unit. It was produced from 1925 to 1934 and cost $7.50. It had the "autographic" feature.

Vest Pocket Kodak Series III (1926-1934)

This model appears to be styled like and work similar to a Model B but has Kodex or Diomatic shutter with more speeds, an aperture selector in f-stops and a screw thread focusing system. This model was also the basis for the coloured art deco Kodak Petite, Vanity Kodak and Coquette versions designed by Walter Dorwin Teague.

Vest Pocket Kodak Special (1926-1935)

This model is the replacement for the previous VPK Autographic Special models using the bed style of the Model B but has better shutters and faster lenses.

The Vest Pocket Kodak and the Mount Everest Mystery

Two climbers, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, lost on Everest in 1924, may have been the first to reach the summit. Another member of the expedition has been quoted as saying that he had loaned his Kodak VPK camera to Mallory as they passed each other on the north ridge. There are and extensive efforts underway using current technology to locate Irvine's body and perhaps, the camera.


Images



Links